Key Staff
Linnea Carlson oversees the operations of the Jamestown Public Market as the only full time farmer’s market manager in Chautauqua County. Linnea grew up in Frewsburg, NY and has always had a passion for local farming and community. She has worked within the food system her entire career. Following her graduation from Fordham University with a Masters in Social Work, she helped establish the Salvation Army's food pantry in Dunkirk, NY. It was through this work she began volunteering at the Fredonia Farmers Market, assisting SNAP customers spend their benefits on fresh produce. She continues to volunteer at the Fredonia market in the winter months. Prior to joining the Jamestown Public Market, Linnea also worked for the Chautauqua County Health Network guiding communities to adopt and implement policies centered on healthy food access. It was through this work Linnea assisted six area school districts, various community non-profits, and six municipalities in implementing community gardens, healthy food retail initiatives, and walkable communities. Linnea iwas formerly the Chair of the Chautauqua County Food Policy Council, and a member of the International Mobile Market Advisory Coalition in partnership with the University at Buffalo. She also volunteers as a member of the Jamestown Lions Club. She lives in the city of Jamestown with her partner Ben and their five cats. Issues that Linnea would like to see addressed within the food system include issues of food insecurity, communication between sectors, and education related to agriculture. She also has observed disconnects between local regulations and the food system and seeks to advocate for positive changes between policy and the food system.
Linnea Carlson, Director
Emily Le Blanc, Jamestown Public Market newest employee, came to Jamestown in December of 2022, from Arkansas. Summer 2022 was so hot in Fayetteville, AR, that even the tomatoes stopped growing. Her first, and only, tomato harvest that year was in October. Emily’s grown child and other family members lived on the West Coast, and were affected, but not harmed, by the wildfires of the past years. Emily has personally seen the damage wreaked by the astonishing increase in tornado damage throughout the South and Midwest.
Her passion for food systems brought her and her family to Jamestown, NY, where she owns a homestead with produce gardens, ducks and turkeys. She currently manages the Jamestown Mobile Market and Community/School garden programs.
Emily Le Blanc, Food Access Coordinator
Advisory Board of Directors
Sarah Gilbert
Director of Fundraising and Community Relations
Sarah Gilbert received her bachelor’s degree in Peace and Justice Studies from Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA. Her studies centered on social justice, human rights and grassroots organizing. Sarah has worked in the nonprofit sector for 18 years as a community mobilizer and an advocate for disadvantaged populations. She worked with Christina Breen during their tenure at the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation to secure the USDA grant that provided funding for the Jamestown Public Market and allowed for the creation of the Mobile Market. Sarah currently works at The Chautauqua Center where she raises funds and provides outreach for community programs that improve access to healthcare and support services in our region.
Jen Gantenbein
Spiritual Mentor, Kundalini Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Lotus Fire Healing Arts
Jen Gantenbein of Lotus Fire Healing Arts has over twenty years of experience in the field of healing and uses her expertise as a gifted, intuitive, and compassionate teacher to mentor women. She instructs and gently guides with an open-hearted and radiant presence, and the embodied grace of a wise Spiritual Mother. She is passionate about utilizing her gifts to serve others and to uplift everyone she encounters.
Justina Johnson
Nonprofit Development and Communications
Justina graduated from California State University, Chico in 2010 with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature and a Certificate in Literary Editing and Publishing. Her background in writing and editing has driven a career in grant-writing and non-profit fundraising, and she has served in management and development roles at non-profit organizations in California, Oregon, and New York.
Justina is passionate about social justice and environmental issues, and she loves reading, baking, and going on outdoor adventures with her family.
Jessica Frederick is a former farmer and the Minister of Children, Youth & Families at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. She believes in deep local roots and nourishing communities that create a vibrant common life. She studied Christian Ministries & Social Work at Messiah College, located outside of Harrisburg, PA. Upon graduation, she spent three years living and working in the Occupied Palestinian Territories with Christian Peacemaker Teams, supporting Palestinian nonviolent resistance to the Israeli Occupation. Inspired by her Palestinian friends and colleges, who were shepherds and farmers, she WNY to learn and practice sustainable organic agriculture. Jessica created and ran Steady Plow Farm, LLC, growing vegetables and keeping bees until entering ministry full-time in June 2019.
Jessica Frederick, CSA Coordinator
Rev. Luke Fodor
The Rev. Luke Fodor is the Rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Jamestown. He has three graduation degrees from the University of Durham in England, New York University, and Bexley Hall Seminary in Columbus, OH. He came to Jamestown with his wife Willow and their two boys (Aidan and Kieran) from Long Island 7 years ago and since that time he has thrown himself into serving the community well beyond the walls of the church.
After starting the Children of Book Summer Reading Camp for at-risk and struggling readers soon after his arrival, he has found himself increasingly pressed into public service and leadership. He currently serves on the Boards of Chautauqua Striders, the Jamestown Renaissance Corp, and as Vice-President of the Jamestown YMCA. Additionally, Luke is engaged in civic leadership serving on the City of Jamestown’s Riverfront Management Commission, on the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, and on the United Way-led Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative as the Chair of Economic Development & Poverty Reduction.
He is committed locavore—dedicated to eat seasonally and locally. Luke is excited by St. Luke’s partnership with the Jamestown Public and Mobile Markets and to the ways that these institutions create economic opportunity, foster an entrepreneurial culture, and provide healthy food downtown on Saturdays and through the city on Wednesdays.
When not leading his parish or engaging in community service, Luke is likely to be found swimming in Cassadaga Lake, in the saddle of his bike or pounding the pavement training for his next triathlon or race.
Leigh Rovegno fell in love with fresh produce when she started working on organic farms in 2000. Spent many seasons learning from’ the best of the best’ at Rosaly’s Garden located in Peterborough NH.
Determined to learn about the many different techniques used in sustainable agriculture, Leigh volunteered in Italy through the WOOF program (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) and also assisted at a biodynamic dairy farm. Later, she returned to college to pursue a degree in horticulture from the University of New Hampshire. However, after her first semester, she quickly realized that very few organic practices were being taught. She left the UNH horticulture program to pursue an environmental studies degree at Naropa University in Boulder CO. It was there that Leigh spearheaded a student-led initiative to install a self-sustaining greenhouse that was heated and powered entirely by the sun.
Upon graduation, Leigh started a one-acre CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm through the Denver Botanic Gardens which quickly grew to three acres serving more than 300 families. Leigh left her job as the farm’s creator and program manager to pursue her newest job – motherhood! Her time was then invested in creating a school garden program which provided hands-on learning opportunities for children in preschool through sixth grade.
Leigh and her family moved to the Jamestown area in 2018 when she accepted the position as Audubon Community Nature Center’s executive director. Since then, she has expanded her nature-knowledge to include trees, birds, and other less-farm-related subjects. She is thrilled to return to her ‘roots’ as part of the Jamestown Public Market’s Advisory Board.
Leigh Rovegno
Non Profit Development
